Stapling machine or tacker



May 29, V1928.

A. H. M AYNARD STPLINQ MACHINE on TACKER Filed July 25, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet May 29, 1928..

y 1,671,733 A. H. MAYNARD STAPLING MACHINE OR TACKER Filed July 25, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 29,' 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,671,133 PATENT OFFICE. N

ARTHUR H. MAYNARD, OF WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOB TO BOSTON WIRE STITCHEB COMPANY; OF PORTLAND, MAINE, CORPORATION OI' MAINE.

4s'rAzeLINe MACHINE' or. TACKER.

This invention relates to hand-operated stapling-machines or tackers for feeding and driving wire staples, tacks, hrads or other fasteners-and particularly to a device operated in the manner of a hammer to drive the staples, tacks or the like into wooden cases or boxes in attaching tags or labels thereto, and'for other like purposes such as taeking matting or carpet to floors. y t

A4 particular object of the invention is to ,provide a device or appliance ofthe type specified which may beconveniently wielded in the hand to cause it to operate automatically tlo feed anddlive the staplesor other fasteners into place when ay blow is struck againstth'e object into which they areto be drlven.

Another object Vofthe invention is to provide a device of the type specified which is simple in construction. compact in size, economical to manufactura proof -against derangement or getting out of o1der,=and durable in use under rough treatment.

Further objects' of the improvement are set forth in the following specification,=

which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accom-v panying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. lis a side elevation of the improved Fig. 2 is (longitudinal seetionalview of lthe same, showing the parts of the device in position under impact when the blow 1s Aline 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6`1s a similar. cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a part-sectional view of the Yrear end of the staple-core of themachine, takenV Fig. 8 is a erosslseetional'detailedview of' the front portion of the device, taken on line 8 -78 of Fig. 3; and

Fig.9 is al perspective View ofthe staple used :with the improved device.

The invention consistsin general in prof' viding a hammer-like stapling-machine or lacher having a magazine for holding the.

staples or other fasteners within its handle,

.ed of steel.

Vmeans -for automatically feeding the staples or fasteners therefrom to the setting-device, and a driver operated when a blow is struck with the head of the hammer to drive the staples or fasteners into the Work.

.While the invention-is herein shown and described as .embodied vin a machine for set# ting substantially U-shaped staples it may be employed for driving fasteners of otherl types such as tacks, brads, nails or the like. Referring first to' Figs.. 1 and 2 of the drawings, in the embodiment of the invention as herein shown the device comprises an elongated hollow handle 2, preferably con` structed of sheet-metalwhich is shaped to a 4'substantially rectangular contour in crosssection and formed with rounded corners as illustrated particularly in Fig'. 6. At the` forward end ofthe ,handle 2 its arched topportlon is cut away to receive a rectangular block or hammer-head 3,- usually construct- The sides of the block or head 3 are cut awayor recessed at 4, see-Fi 4, and the strips of metal sheared away rom 4the top of the handle 2 are flattened fout in upwardly-projecting wings 6 which abut the recessed sides of the block S'and are welded or otherwise secured thereto to fasten theA head to the handle. At its rearward end the handle 2 has a full rectangular section at 7, see Fig. 1. and forwardly of this bottom of the handle is cut away throughout aportion vof itsjwidth tol provide a longi tudmal slot or opening 8 shown in Figs. 2

`and 5. The rounded underl corners ofthis part of the handle are left intact to provide a smooth hand-.hold at the rear end of the handle, but forwardly of the point 9 Athe whole under partv of the-handle is eut away,

thus leaving an'. inverted U-shaped crosssection as shown at 10 in Fig. 5.

As before stated, the ,handle 2 forms the 'magazine'forreeeiving a supply of staples consistsof a rectangular bar which is pivoted at its rearward end to the sides ofthe handle 2. The U-shaped staples s, shown in detail in Fig. 9, are straddled across the I l top of the bar or core 12 and slide therealon'g under the action of the feeding-means to be later described. To retain the staples in place on the core 12 a suitable guard 14 channel-shape with one of its sides -abutting the under side of the core 12 and welded or otherwise fastened thereto. The `vertical side 15 of the guard l14 extends upwardly parallel with and in spaced relation to the side of the core 12 to provide a clearance for. the legs 'of the staples straddling the core; while the top portion 16 of the guard overlies the top of the core with a space therebetweenof appropriate width to permit the staples to slide freely therethrough;

1n the present embodiment of the inventionl the staple-core 12 is pivoted to the rearward end of the. handle 2 by any suitable means, and preferably it is hinged thereto by an improved construction ofreleasable ivot illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 As shown 1n these views, a U-shaped yoke 18 of folded sheet-metal is fitted across the top and sides of the core 12, see also Fig. 3, with its sides abutting the inner faces of the sides of the handle 2. The yoke 18 is fastened to the core 12 by a. cross-pin or rivet 19v shown in Fig. 3,101- it may be secured thereto in any other suitable manner. inserted through holes in the sides of the handle 2 and registering holes` in thev sides o;t the yoke 18 and in the -core 12 to provide 'a sivivelled joint between the core and the handle. The pivot-pin 20 is held in place by a-novel latch construction as next'de- .14 andthe side of the coreA 12 and scribed. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the latch consistsof. an angle-shaped strip of relatively thin sheet-metal having its upper portion held between the top of the core 12 and the overlying side 16 of the guard 14.

' The vertical wing 26 of the latch 2,5 is held in the space between the side 1 5 of the guard rojects downwardly beyond the bottom of t e core.

In this wing 26 are two circular openings or holes 27 and 28. The hole 27 accommodatesthe rivet orY pin 19 which fastens the yoke 18'to the core 12 and is of lsutlicient diameter to allow thelatch 25 to slide l'aterally to'a slight extent. The other hole 28 isof a size to adapt the pivot-pin 20 to slide therethrough, the pin 2.0 being formed with a peripheral groove 29 with which the' edge of the hole engages when the latch -is slid to the right as viewed in Fig. 7.

' Y Preferably, the pin 20 hastyvo peripheral grooves 29 equidistantly spaced l from its ends to that the pin may be inserted into the handle either way and the latch will in each case be engaged with one of the grooves. The latch'25 is normally slid to the right under the action of a spring 30 which surrounds the guard 1 4 and staplecore 12 as illustrated in Fig. 3. The spring 30 has the- .main :function o'f operating thestaple-pusher A pivot-pin 20 isA from Fig. 7 that the latch 25 has a notch 31 cut in its edge to accommodate the end of the staple-guard 14 when the latch is slid to the left. The latch .25 may be slid to the left against the action of the spring 30 to aline its hole 28 with the body portion of the pin 20, this actioncausing' the edge of the hole to release the groove 29 in the pin whereby the latter may be withdrawn 4 from the handle to disconnect the staple-core therefrom. Through the novel construction and arrangement of the parts as last de- 'scribed the two main elem-ents of the device are pivoted together in such manner as to provide for convenient assembling and quick detachment of the parts forrepairs or replacement. Moreover', no screws, bolts, or rivets are required, yet the fastening means is secure -and eiiieient for the purpose designed.

The staple-pusher 35 consists of a twopart sheet-metal slide or traveler, the main portion of which enclosesl the guard 14 at- `tached to and surrounding the staple-core 12,

see vFig. 5. As shown particularly in this view the outer or main portion of the pusher 36 is folded into substantially rectangular shape in cross-section, having its under side or wing 37 abutting the under side of the guard 14, its vertical wall 38 extending upwardly parallel with the side 15 of the guard, and a narrowed top-portion 39 extending across parallel with the side 16 of the guard 14 in spaced relation thereabove. A fourth side or wall 40-projects downwardly acrossA the open side of the guard 14. At the rearward end of the main member 36'is a tab 41V bent downwardly at right-angles to provide a finger-piece adapted to be grasped by the -hand to s'lidethe pusher rearwardly on the staple-core 12. As shown in Fig. 3, thediner-piece 41 slides through the slotted opening 8 4in the bottonrof the handle 2 so as to be within convenient reach of the operators finger. f

The staple-pusher proper consists in a 'channel-shaped member 42 constructed of los of the guard 14 and one of its legs 43 is l welded, brazed, riveted or otherwise secured to the inside face .of the downwardly extcnding'wall 40 of themain member 36.'

vThe pusher 35 is normally urged toward the forward end of the core 12 by the spring 30 which is preferably formed with its coilsof rectangular shape 4so that it may be' more compactly disposed around the guard 14 enclosing -the core. The spring 30 abuis against `the yoke 18 'at the rearward end of the core A`12 and at its forward lend bears against the rearward edges of the side walls 38 and 40 of the main pusher-member 36.

eferring particularly to Figs. A1 and 2, a notch 45 is cut in the upper face of the staple-core 12 with which the forward end of the pusher-member 42 engages when the whole pusher isgslid rearwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 3. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide 4means for latching the staple-pusher in its rearward position to facilitate the application of the staples to the forward end of the core l2. lVhen the staple-pusher 35 is slid rearwardly by the pressure of the fingers on its tab 41 the tendency of the sl'iring 30 will bev to rock the forward end ofI the pusher-member 42 downwardly so that as it reaches the position illustrated in Fig. 3 it will be tilted to engage its forward edge with the notch 45 in the core 12. After the staples have been slid on to the coie 12 the pusher 35 may be released to adapt it to act to feed from the notch 45.

the staples forward by n'ierely pressingiits forward end upward to disengage its edge At the forward end of the core 12 is arhammer-block 46, preferably constructed of from the end of the staple-eore 12 to provide a channel through which the staples are driven as they feed off from the end of the core. It will be noted that the forward end of the handle 2, staple-core 12 and block 46 are formed on an arc struck from the pivotal center on which the staple-core swings, the wall of the gate-50 being also shaped to conform to the same radius.

The staple-driver 55 consists of a relatively lat hardened blade also conforming to an arcuate shape on a radius struck from the pivot of the core 12 to adapt it to slide across the forward end of the core 12 and block 46 at the rear of the front Wall of the-gate 50. The upper end of the driver 55 abuts the recessed forward end of the hammer-head 3 on thehandle 2, with its edge seated ina notch 56 to take the thrust of the driver under the blow struck to drive the staples into place. A rivet 57 driven into a liolefin the front of the head 3 has an enlarged head 58 engaging a hole in the upperend of the driver 55. lThe gate 50 normally holds the driver 55 in place with its upper edge seated in the notch 56. but the driver may be removed for repair or replacement by removing the gate'to allow the driver-blade to be tilted to release it from the head of the rivet 57 so that it can be withdrawn from the notch 56.

A coil spring 60 is seated in a bore or pocket 61 in the under side of the head i with its lower end bearing againstthe top of lthe block 48. the lspring normally tending to `swing the core 12 downwardly with respect to the handle 2. rlhe swinging movement of the core l2 iii relation to the handle 2 is limited by a pin 62 having its endsI slid- `ing iii arcuate slots 63 in the sides of the handle 2. This same pin 62 forms the pivot for the gate 50, being inserted through a transverse holel in the upper block 48 and fastened in place by a novel lconstruction as next described. Seated on the top of the block 48 is a sheetsn'ietal plate 64 having ears 65 folded downwardly at each side to straddle the block with a space therebetween. The gate 50 has cai's 51 held in the space between the sides of the block 48 and the ears 65 on the plate 64, the ears on thcgate being pivoted on the pin 62. As shown in Figs. 3 `and 8 the pin 62 is formed with peripheral grooves 66 spaced outwardly heyond the ears 51 ofthe gate 50 and adapted to be engaged by the edges of holes 69 in the ears 65 of the plate 64. 'Ihe holes 69 are of such diameter as to allow the main or body portion of the pin 62 to pass there through when the plate 64 raised to aline the holes with the transverse hole in the block 48. When, however, the plate 64 is pressed down against the top of the blotk 48 the holes 69 will be carried into eccentric relation with respect to the pin 62 so as to engage the grooves 66 in the pin to lock it from lateral movcnient whereby to hold the parts in assembled relation. The plate 64 is held down against the top of the block 48 under the pressure of the spring 66, a teat or protuberance 67 being struck up from the top of the plate to enter the end coil of the spring to hold the latter from lateral displacen'ient. i l D The gate 50 is locked in closed position. as illustrated' in Figs. 1 and`2. by n ieans of a. latchpin 70 shown in detail in Fig. 8. The gate 5() has circular holes 53 in its sides with narrowed slots 54 leading thereto. The latch-pin 70 slides through a transverse hole 71 in the hammer-block 46. The latch-pin 7() is provided with two hubs and 73 ol larger diameter than the'main portion of the pin, the hub 73 b eing riveted to the right-hand end of the pin as shown in Fig. 8. These hubs are 'of a diameter to adapt them to pass through the circular openings, 53 in the sides of the gate 50, butl are too large to pass through the Slot.s.54 leading intosaid openings. A coil spring 74 seated in an enlarged counter-bore 75 in the block 46 acts against the hub 72 to hold the pin 7 0 in position with the other hub larged hubs T2 and 73 in the circular Openings 53 in the sides of the gate 50 to lock the latter in place as shown in F igs.l 1 and 2.

The construction and arrangement of one embodiment of the invention having now been described, its method of operation will next be explained: .To load thedevice the staple-pusher is drawn back on the core 12 until its-'forward 'edge' is opposite the notch 45,'when the tendency of the spring 30will be to vrock the pusher` into the posi- .tion shown in Fig. 3 to lock it in engagement with the notch. The-gate 50 isnow released from its latch by sliding the pm 70 in the manner as previously explamed,l after which the gate is swung outwardly into `the position shown in Fig. 3. The staples s are then slid on to the front end of the core 12 beneath the overhanging portion 16 of the guard 14. the' usual manner of charging the machine being to place the stick on which the staples are packaged in alinement with the core so that the staples 4may be slidolf from the stick and on to the core. After a supply of staples has 4been .placed in straddled rela-tion on the core 12 the gate 5() is closed down into position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and locked in place by means of the latch-pin 70. The staple-pusher 35 is then released by tilting its forward end upward to disengagc its edge from the notch 45,- whereupon the spring 30v will slide the' pusher forwardly to cause it to Vbear against the rear-most staple s in the series straddled on the core 12. The pressure of the pusher 35 against the staples will cause them to be held in alinement in close juxtaposition, with the forward staple inthe series bearing against the vertical wall of the gate 50, see Fig. 1.

The .device is now ready. for use andthe operator grasps the handle 2- at its rearward end to wield theappliance in the manner' of a hammer.. After the article to be stapled or tacked in place has been brought intoY position a blow isdirected thereagainst at the point where the staple `is to be driven and the action of the mechanism of the machine is as follows: As the hammer-block 46 is brought against the object the force of momentum acting. on the relatively heavy head 3 of thedevice will cause the latter to continue in the general direction in which the blow is being lstruck to carry the driver down acrossthe forward end of the core 12. `That is to say, the hammer-head is caused to move downwardly with respect to 'y the core 12 against the force of the spring 60, whereby the lower end of the driver 5.5 is carried down against the top of the forward staple of the series which has been pushedl off from the end of thel co're '12, and'the A driver on continuing -its stroke will 'slide l down through the opening between the end of the core 12 and the forward wall of the gate. 50 to force the staple .therethrough to drive it into the work in the manner as indicated in Fig. 2.

the operation of setting the staple the spring 30 acts to urge the 'staple-pusher 35 forward .to slide the whole series of staples along the core 12 to again push one off from the end of -the core into the channel at the rear of the vertical wall ofthe gate 50. It will be understood that the swinging movement of the handle 2 with respect to the 'core 12, during the operation of the device in the manner as above explained, is limited by the cross-pin 62 sliding in thev slotsv 63 whereby 'the handle r.is restrained from swinging away from the core to such an extent-asto release the driver 55 from engagement with the gate 50.

It will be observed -from the above that my invention provides a particularly simple, com act and eicient device of the type specified which operates automatically when wielded as a hammer to feed the staples into position and drive them into the work,'one after another without interruption until -t-hc supply .of staples carried in the device is exhausted.' 'Iheconstructionv and arrangement of the appliance provides for convenient loading of the magazine with the staples while the feeding mea-ns or staple-pusher is locked in inoperative position .so as to avoid'accidental discharge -of- It is also to be that the mechanism of the device simple in construction, compactly arranged and so designedl as to. be i capable of economical' manufacture to rc- The duce the whole -cost of -the machine. parts. of the mechanism are .designed for strength and staunchne'ss and freedom from wear or deterioration to insure greater vdurability in use when the device is subjected to rough handling. Moreoventhe construction and arrangement of the parts makes for greater facilityin assembling the mechanis or removing the parts for repair o r rerglacement. f

While I have herein illustrated a .pre-i' ycombination of a handle,

handle,

ferred embodiment of the device as adapted for use' with a common type lof fasteners, it is to. be understood that modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of its parts and in its methodof operation without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Therefore, without limiting myself to the'exact details of construction herein shown and' described`,l claim:

1. In a device of the type "specified, the a weight on the handle, a driver operated by said weight,

staple-carrying means hinged to the handle,

means to feed the staples on the carryingmeans to deliver them successively into position beneath the driver whereby when a blow.

is struck a staple will be driven into, the work, and means to frictionally detain the forward vstaple in position beneath -the driver until the blow is struck.

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a handle, a weight on the a driver connected to be operated from said weight through the action of n10- mentum when a blow is struck,staple-carrying means carried by the handle, means to successively feed the staples ofi' from the carrying-means beneath the bottoni of the driver whereby said staples are driven when the ldriver isoperated under the impact of the blow, anda gate at the end of the carrying-means for holding the forward staple in place until it is driven by the driver.

3. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a handle,'a weight on the handle, a driver connectedl to be operated by said weight through the force of momentum, staple-carrying means swivelled to the handle and projecting into position at the rear of the driver, means to feed the'staples alongthe carrying-means to successively position them beneath the driver to cause.

combination of a handle, a weighted `ham-` mer-head on the handle., 'a driver connected to be operated from said 'hammer-head, a staple-carrying member pivoted at one end to the handle with its'opposite end arranged at the rear `of the driver, meansto feed the staples along the carrying-member to de-"i liver them beneath' the driverwhereby the latter acts to drivethem into place when a blow is struck and the hammer-head moves the driver with respect to the carryingmember, and means for" retaining the. fed staple in position vbeneath the driver until the latter acts thereon.

, 5'. Inra device of the type specified, the' lcombination of a handle, a hammer-head at one end of the handle, a driver connectedto said head, a staple-carrying4 member extending longitudinally of the handlevand pivoted to swing with respect to the hammer-head, means for feeding the staples beneath the driver whereby the to drive them into the work when means and adapted to be operated when a .i

blow i's struck work.` l v 7. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a handle, a weighted halnmer-head at one end of the handle, a stapleto drive the staplesl into the -carrying member hinged to the handle, a

driver connected to the hammer-head and adapted to be reciprocated thereby across the end of the staple-carrying member' when a blow is struck with the hammerhead, agate at the end of the staple-carrying member, Vmeans to. successively. feed the staples from the carrying-member Into posi` tion against the gate and beneath the driver, and resilient means acting between the hainmer-head andthe staple-carrying member to normally hold the driver in raised position above the staples'being fed.

3 8. In a device of. the type specified, the combination of'a hollow handle, a'staplecarrying core extending longitudinally within the handle and pivoted thereto at one end, a driverrecipr'ocable across the opposite end ofthe staple-core, a weighted hammer-head for reciprocating 'the driver-under the impact of a blow struckvagainst the work,Y

means to feedthe staples along the core to deliver them successively beneath the driver, and means for retaining the delivered staple in position .beneath the ter acts thereon.

9. In a devicecf thetype specified, lthe combination of a hollow handle,`a staplecore extending longitudinally within the handle and pivoted thereto at one-.,end,4 a hammer-head on the handle,a driver connected to said hammer-head and adapted to be reciprocated across the endof the staplecore, a pusher slidable on the staple-core to feed thejst-aples successively 4into position bedriver'until the lat' l neath the staple-driver, a. spring for slidingL sides of the said pusher, and means at the end of the staple-core for holding the fed staple in position under the pressure of the spring.

10. In a stapling or like machine, the combination with means for driving the staples into the work, of means for feeding the staples to the driving-means comprising a core across which the staples are straddled, said'corc formed with a notch in its side, a pusher enclosing the core and slidable therealong, and a spring for sliding the pusher, said pusher adapted to be tilted automatically under the pressure of its spring as it reaches the rearward end 'of the core to cause it to engage the notch in the core to hold the spring -contracted in the manner an for the purpose substantially as specie 11. In a stapling or like machine, the combination of a staple-core for receiving the staples in straddled relation thereon, a driver reciprocable across the end of the core, a gate pivoted above the end of the core and pro- .vided `with a vertical Wall arranged in spaced v relation with respect thereto, said gate havingsides adapted to enclose the sides of the core, openings in the sides of the gate having contracted-slots leading thereto, and a latch-pin slidable transversely of the core and having reducedportions adapted to enter the slots leading to the openings in the gate t0 allow the gate to be closed and latched by Sliding the pin to engage its enlarged portions with the openings in the gate.

12. In a device of the type specified, the

combination of a handle, a staple-carrier pivoted at one end to the handle, a hammerhead on the lhandle positioned -above the opposite end of the staple-carrier, a driver carried by the hammer-head and adapted to be reciprocated therebyv across the end of the staple-carrier, a-spring acting between the hammer-head and the carrier to normally g hold the vdriver raised above the end of the carrier, and a in projecting from the carrier and engaging a slot in the side of the handle to limit the movement of the hammerhead with respect to the carrier.

13. In a stapling or like machine, the combination of a staple-driver, a staple-core along which the staples feed to they driver, a block mounted on the top of the core, a gate having wings straddling the sides of the block, a pin inserted through the block and engaging holes in the wings to pivotally mount the gate, said pin formed with peripheral grooves at its ends, a yoke having its sides straddling the block and formed with holes for receiving the pin, and means for holding said yoke in position to engage the edges of its holes with the grooves in the pin to lock the latter in place.

14. In a device of the type specified, the

combination of a hollow handle, a staple-core,

projects, the edge of said hole being adaptedl to engage the peripheral groove in the pin to lock the latter in position.

l 15. In a device of the. type specified, the combination of a hollow handle, a staple-core comprising a bar extending longitudinally within the handle, a staple-pusher slidable on the core, a spring for sliding the pusher, and means to pivot the core to the sides of the handle comprising a cross-pin extending therethrough and formed with a peripheral groove, and a plate having a hole through which the pin extends, said plate being acted upon by the pusher-spring to slide it longitudinally with respect to the core to cause the edge of its hole to en vage the groove in the pin to lock the'latter 1n place.

In testimony whereof I alix. my signature.

ARTHUR H. MAYNARD. 

